July 2010 - Parks & Recreation - 6

Perspectives
A Message from NRPA's Leaders

A

Opportunities
s I contemplate the celebration of the 25th anniversary of July as Park

and Recreation month, I am disturbed by some of the " noise " around me.

My community, like so many, a place where I
chaired the park and recreation board and served
on the city council, is facing a significant budget
shortfall of well over $100 million. The mayor, city
council, and the city manager have begun the public dialogue of prioritizing, looking for additional revenues and ways to cut costs. As anticipated,
others have begun to weigh in. One of these voices has raised a message of grave concern-cities
shouldn't be in the business of providing parks,
arts, recreation, or libraries. These are " frills " and
not the responsibility of government, which should
focus on public safety, roads, and garbage, according to this point of view. While this is not a new message, it is alarming because the voice came from an
organized public safety group (generally supportive of our efforts) which seems focused on lessening
any budget cuts to their department.
So, how can we use this month to reinforce the
valuable role parks and recreation play in the life
of healthy communities and that we are essential
to that end? How can we make our voices heard?
It's here where the wisdom of the founders of NRPA
is so prescient. Our best resources are our citizen
base-the park and program users, the parents of
child participants, the seniors, the garden clubs, our
volunteers, our friends groups, our environmental
community and, most importantly, our park and
recreation board and commission members.
In fact, most often our board and commission
members are most knowledgeable about our departments and the impacts of potential budget
decisions. They should be our front line of advocacy. They are the ones most likely to be able to
invite decision makers to attend a baseball or soccer game, to witness the packed fields and parking

lots, to watch a swimming lesson to ensure watersafe children, to walk through a recreation center
and observe seniors playing cards, networking and
staying engaged and alert, and even to take a bicycle ride or walk through a natural open space area.
They are the ones to encourage their fellow park
supporters and users to personally deliver messages to city councils, mayors and/or managers, and
to write editorials and use blogs to communicate
the value of their parks and recreational programs.
There's no question that many of our departments will face major budget cuts with significant
impacts, whether it's closing facilities or shortening hours, reducing mowing cycles, partnering with
the private sector, reducing staff, or instituting furloughs. But, what's important is that the decisions
should be made in an environment that continues
to recognize the critical role parks and recreation
play in creating and maintaining healthy and economically stable communities. Park and recreation
opportunities are often one reason a business or
family chooses to locate in a community, in addition to the crime stats and the quality of the schools.
Recognizing the economic impact of our park and
recreation systems is also part of the advocacy
equation. Park facilities and programs bring in revenue. Property values can be positively impacted
by park facilities, especially those with adjacency
to natural areas. Tournaments and leagues can be
major revenue sources. An active citizenry means
reduced health care costs and reduced time out of
school or work.
If there was ever an opportunity to reinforce the
critical role parks and recreation play in the life of a
community it's now. We need to be prepared to take
advantage of these dynamics.


Lois G. Finkelman
NRPA Chair of the Board

4	

Parks & Recreation

J U LY 2 0 1 0

w w w . N R P A . ORG
July 2010 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July 2010 - Parks & Recreation
